Norton High School wrestling takes crown at division tournament

The Norton High wrestling team won the first team sectional championship in the program’s history, capturing the crown at the MIAA Division III Central Sectional Tournament on Saturday in Hudson.

Kevin R. LaBounry

The Norton High wrestling team won the first team sectional championship in the program’s history, capturing the crown at the MIAA Division III Central Sectional Tournament on Saturday in Hudson.

The Lancers outlasted Tri-County for the team title. The top four teams at the sectional qualify for the Division 3 State Team Dual Meet Tournament, which will take place on Feb. 19 and 20 at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

Norton will compete in a field of 16 teams with other squads from the North, South and West Sectionals.

Norton brought 12 wrestlers to the sectional on Saturday in Hudson and all 12 placed, led by three sectional champions.

“It was great that everyone was able to contribute to the team victory,” said Norton head coach Pat Coleman, who was voted the Division III Central Sectional Coach of the Year by the other coaches at the meet.

Senior captain Brett Gallagher won his second sectional championship, capturing the title at 120 pounds with a 4-0 record.

Senior captain John Royle had a big day. He earned his second sectional title, winning at 138 pounds with a 4-0 mark. Royle was named the Outstanding Wrestler at the meet, winning the award after pinning the defending Division III state champion from Hudson, Pat O’Connell, in the finals.

Senior captain Scott Coleman captured his third sectional championship, winning the title at 145 pounds with a 3-0 mark.

Norton had a total of seven wrestlers reach the finals of their respective divisions. Senior John Norton placed second at 126 pounds with a 3-1 record, while classmate Cam Hale was second at 132, also with a 3-1 mark. Junior Jack Cuneo placed second at 170 with a 3-1 record as did classmate Steve Hudson at 220.

The Lancers had eight wrestlers qualify for the Division III State Individual Tournament, which will be held on Feb. 10 and 11 at Taconic High in Pittsfield.

Senior Matt Pelletier also qualified by finishing third at 195 pounds with a 3-1 record.

Also on Saturday, Middleboro had four wrestlers place in the top five at the MIAA Division III South Sectional Tournament in Pembroke.

Ethan Norton finished in third place at 152 pounds. He defeated Josh Matt, of Canton, 7-1 in the third-place match. Alex Schuberth was third at 160, beating Dave Haselman of Scituate 15-13 in the third-place contest.

Tim O’Toole was fifth at 170 pounds. He pinned Sean Hannon of Scituate at 1:45 of their match for fifth place. Joshua Dyer placed fifth at 220. He pinned Jacob Moniz of Bristol Aggie in the fifth-place match at 3:28.